Assessing If You Can Drive With a Migraine
When a migraine strikes, everyday activities like driving can become intensely painful or downright dangerous. The pounding head pain, light and sound sensitivity, nausea and other symptoms make concentration difficult. So how do you know if you can reasonably drive with a migraine?
Factors That Determine Ability to Drive
Every migraine sufferer has different symptoms and severity. Certain factors help determine if driving during an attack is possible or wise:
- Level of head pain - mild, moderate or severe
- Nausea and vomiting - can be very distracting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Aura symptoms like visual disturbances or tingling
- Mental fuzziness and confusion
- How well medication relieves your symptoms
Assess Your Situation
Take stock of how you feel and what symptoms are hitting hardest. For example, if you have mild headache but no aura, nausea or blurry vision, driving short distances may work. If sound and light make things 100 times worse, it's likely best to avoid the road.
Dangers of Driving With a Migraine
Attempting to drive with a migraine can not only be painful, it poses safety issues for you and other commuters or pedestrians. Especially problematic migraine symptoms from a driving perspective include:
Vision Changes
Spots, flashing lights, blurriness, tunnel vision and loss of sight mean you cannot properly see to drive safely. If you experience aura vision changes, driving should be avoided.
Dizziness and Vertigo
The feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning makes controlling a vehicle nearly impossible. Severe headache pain itself can induce lightheadedness as well.
Vomiting
Uncontrolled nausea and throwing up while driving could cause you to pass out or choke. It also severely hampers your ability to concentrate and respond to driving situations.
Numbness
Sometimes migraine causes tingling or numbness in legs, arms and face. Lack of sensation means you cannot properly control the gas pedal, wheel and brakes.
Confusion and Disorientation
When a migraine attack is intense, it becomes extremely difficult to think clearly or make quick decisions. This affects judgement and reaction time.
Tips to Drive Safer With Migraines
If your symptoms are relatively mild or you absolutely must drive, there are precautions to take that minimize risk:
Have Effective Medication Available
Carry migraine relief medicine with you to use as needed which may enable you to get home safely. Having meds on board can make a big difference.
Limit Exposure to Triggers
Driving tends to ramp up stimuli like light, sound and strong smells that commonly trigger worse migraine pain. Use polarized sunglasses, keep interior lights off and avoid heavily trafficked routes.
Take Breaks as Needed
Pull over if required to rest, take medication, hydrate or alleviate nausea until symptoms improve enough to drive again.
Have Someone With You
Having a passenger means help is available if necessary and they can verify directions, traffic conditions etc. Use their second set of eyes and ears to augment your compromised senses.
Only Drive Short Distances
Don't attempt lengthy trips and stick to essential local journeys of 10 minutes or less until the severe symptoms pass and you can see clearly again.
Alternative Transportation Options
When driving yourself is inadvisable during a migraine attack, arrange alternate transit so you can still obtain needed medication, manage nausea or get home to rest.
Ride Share Services
Companies like Uber allow you to quickly summon a driver to transport you. The quiet, dark backseat may feel soothing during migraine pain.
Public Transportation
Buses, trains and subways get you there without having to focus on driving. Some lines may be noisier than ideal but allows you to keep eyes closed and rest.
Ask a Friend for a Lift
Don't be shy to request help from someone willing to provide you a ride when migraines are severe. Most friends understand and want to help.
Taxi Companies
Traditional taxi services are still an option for spur of the moment travel if ride shares aren't available. Fares may be higher than ride shares but provide needed mobility.
When to Call for Emergency Help
In rare cases, a migraine can indicate something much more serious like stroke or aneurysm. Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Sudden, extreme head pain unlike previous migraines
- Loss of vision, speech, balance or consciousness
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- High fever and stiff neck
- Head trauma causing headache
FAQs
Can I drive if I take migraine medication?
You may be able to drive safely on migraine medication if it effectively treats your head pain and other symptoms. But since individuals respond differently to treatments, assess your overall state first before getting behind the wheel.
What if migraine hits suddenly while driving?
Take precautions if you feel a migraine starting by pulling over as soon as safely possible. Take medication if available, contact someone to pick you up or use a ride share service. Don't attempt to push through.
Are there any devices that help driving with migraines?
Specialized glare-reducing clip-on lenses for your glasses help screen out visually triggering light. Wearing blue tooth headphones allows you to take hands-free calls while keeping interior noise low.
Can sunlight triggers migraines while driving?
Yes, bright sunlight can certainly spark migraine attacks while driving. Use polarized sunglasses and sun visors. Travel at night or during overcast days if possible. Tinted window film also limits light exposure in the vehicle.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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